Religious devotion prevalent in NFL

Devin Hester looks to God before thousands of fans every game, yet his ritual hasn't sparked a Hesteria over his spirituality.

Before receiving a kick, the NFL's most dangerous return man dips his head forward, touches both shoes, then raises his arms toward the sky as he utters a simple phrase.

"I just tell God to watch over me from the toes on my feet to the head of my crown," Hester said.

A professed devout Christian whose mother, Juanita Brown, is a pastor, Hester grew up in a church back home in Miami, attending services three times a week. Marriage and fatherhood helped refocus Hester in Chicago after a college career amid the temptations of South Florida.

Hester never declared himself a saint, but he matured through the years while maintaining his faith.

"My mom taught me, No. 1, to have respect for God," the Bears returner-receiver said, "and to know that you can do all things through Christ."

Hester can relate to Tim Tebow's crusade. The Broncos' quarterback freely expresses his Christian beliefs, and some question why he is so outspoken. Some have suggested he tone it down.

"I don't have a problem with it," Hester said. "It's just like being a captain on a team: There are guys who are vocal; there are guys who aren't."

"Tebow is taking a lot of criticism not just because of his faith. He's taking criticism because he's abnormal," said Sanders, now an analyst for the NFL Network. "The things he's doing and the success he's having is not normal, and people have a hard time buying into what they haven't seen. Then to top it all off, he exercises his faith.

"To me, a young, successful guy or woman, regardless of their ethnicity, who exercises what they believe in and what they truly stand for, no matter what it is, it shouldn't be a problem."

Television cameras are certain to follow Tebow whenever he kneels in prayer, a practice that led to "Tebowing" becoming a part of the nation's vocabulary. Tebow has no regrets about giving voice to or being demonstrative in his faith.

"When people are talking about it, it's still, hopefully, having an impact on people," Tebow said. "One, what my faith is about and how I carry myself. But more than me saying it or thanking my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, it's important to show your faith."

His play on the field would make some believe he has divine intervention on his side. Tebow is 7-1 as a starter this season despite his unorthodox throwing style and reliance on his legs. Seven of his 10 career victories have come by way of fourth-quarter comebacks, a testament to his resilience.

"His play is evident of someone who follows God," said Bears quarterback Josh McCown, also an ardent Christian. "He plays wholeheartedly, with passion. That's a misnomer about Christian players; that they should be soft or they should be weak. That's not the case at all."

After the Cardinals drafted McCown in 2002, he spent a season alongside one of the most highly publicized Christian athletes in recent years: Kurt Warner.

"Seeing him from afar and then getting to meet him and seeing his life up close, he walked the walk," McCown said. "That's kind of my outlook and my focus on how I want to be looked at."

McCown, like Hester, grew up in a church, so he always has tried to follow the principles instilled in him. He is on the board of directors for Pro Athletes Outreach. While McCown always admired players who professed their Christianity, he also learned a valuable lesson through his NFL experiences.

"I was kind of on both sides of it because you were quick to jump out there and say, 'Oh, look at this guy. He's praising God,' then you'd hear about him getting arrested the next two weeks," McCown said. "So then you're very leery of those people. Then you meet a guy like Kurt, and he's the real deal."

Sanders, who shares Bible scripture and inspirational messages with Hester daily, wasn't always as spiritual as he tries to live today. In fact, "Prime Time" freely admitted his off-the-field life as a pro athlete wasn't something that should be emulated.

"I remember my old teammate with the Falcons, Bobby Butler, always would tell me, 'One day, you're going to walk with the Lord.' And I said, 'No, not me,'" Sanders said. "Then I watched the transformation a guy I used to play against, Irving Fryar, made in his career. He was like two different people and became more at peace with himself.

"That's why I admire a guy like Tim Tebow and what he stands for. He talks about God too much? OK, so why doesn't he go ahead and talk about the money he makes, the cars he drives, the women he has, the things he can purchase? What if he goes that route? People don't realize that you don't live life to please people. You live life to please God."

Anthony Adams' Christian faith has been tested this season because of a back injury. The Bears' nose tackle entered the season as the unquestioned starter with a new contract in hand. Now Adams has become an afterthought, with Matt Toeaina the starter.

"My faith has helped me get through a lot of tough times, like right now," Adams said. "I could go in the tank and go to the media and say, 'I want to do this, I want to do that' and 'I need to be doing this, I need to be doing that.' But I know I'm playing for an audience of one. As long as I'm successful in God's eyes, then I'm successful."

Adams often looks to his Christian teammates for inspiration, such as running back Matt Forte, who frequently tweets scripture, and defensive end Israel Idonije, whose parents were missionaries. Adams attends or hosts Tuesday Bible studies with a group that usually includes safety Craig Steltz, quarterback Caleb Hanie, cornerback Charles Tillman and Toeaina, to name a few.

Tillman has grown closer to God while watching his infant daughter battle for life before a heart transplant.

"I know I'm not perfect, and I'll be the first to admit it," Tillman said. "I've had my fair share of sin, as we all do. But getting together for Bible study, it's all about trying to grow and be a better person."

Toeaina, whose father is a minister, saw his older brother killed by gunfire in 1994.

"Matt is soft-spoken and a big dude, but he loves the Lord," Adams said. "His (Christian) walk is tremendous. He reminds me of myself."

Hester is sure to remind folks of how important God is in his life when he steps back to field a kick. And Tebow will do the same the moment he drops to one knee.

"It's who I am and it's with me everywhere," Tebow said. "Just because football is a violent sport and it's a competitive sport doesn't mean it has to change who you are. For me, my relationship with Jesus Christ is the most important thing."